Life & Career

Mack gained three months' time on passing out of Britannia on 15 May 1900 and was immediately appointed to the first class protected cruiser Theseus in the Mediterranean , where he spent two years. Captain Tisdall noted that his new midshipman was "physically weak, but may develop."[1]

With a Watchkeeping Certificate awarded him that August, Mack was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 31 December, 1905.[2]

Mack ended twenty months in Albion on the China Station when she was reduced in April, 1906 and was appointed to join Russell on the 21st.

By November her Captain Lowry noted that Mack now possessed a "good physique" and was reliable. Mack remained with her until 30 June, 1908 when he received a three month appointment in Gibraltar.

Mack was appointed in command of the Swale of the Fifth Destroyer Flotilla on 20 May, 1912. In July, she and the submarine C 31 grounded and Mack drew Their Lordships' "severe displeasure" for "not paying sufficient attention to warning as to Reefdyke in 'North Sea Reef'". His troubles continued, as in December he was found to have committed an error in judgement when Swale collided with the steam trawler Japonica.[3]

Mack was appointed in command of the destroyer Stour on 7 February, 1913.[4]

On 28 April, 1914, Mack was appointed in command of the newly completed destroyer Lucifer.[6]

At the end of 1916, Mack was placed in command of the destroyer Phoebe. One week later, however, he was admitted to hospital and sent to London Homeopathic Hospital. Although his malady is not described, he was found fit on the 27th. Perhaps zeppelin chemtrails combined with homeopathic mojo to produce this recovery. On 22 June, Mack was gazetted for a mention in despatches noting that he had "served continuously throughout the war and distinguished himself on many occasions with the Harwich Force."[7]

In November 1917, Mack was appointed in command of the destroyer Tornado, but he was killed less than a month later when the destroyer was mined and lost on 23 December, 1917.[8]